Artist Profile – Cassetter x Charley Young x Color Theory

One of the things I love about digital music, for the most part, is that like poetry and plays and many other written projects, it is often the product of a single mind, and in the creative process the human being behind that mind is also baring their soul, and their heart to their audience.

Drum and bass has been this way for years, but it has also been a fruitful playground for collaboration, and more recently it has been a place of collaborations not just between DNB artists, but also musicians and producers from other areas of the digital realm, and in the case off the recent Fabio and Grooverider shows, further into analogue territory.

The Death Beats are one of a handful of production outfits that are pushing hard into unknown genres for the sake of collaboration. We featured their first big colab back in November 2023 and the music immediately caught my attention. It is a steady blend of DNB, synthwave and sublime vocals, creating something very special indeed, and a style that Death Beats frontman Gary.J.Robinson has termed Drumwave.

July saw the release of another huge colab of a similar nature, with artists spanning the Globe and sounding clean and powerful. You can hear the track below, and also on our SoundCloud and YouTube pages, but for now, let’s catch up with the people behind the music, Cassetter from Warsaw, Poland, Charley Young and Color Theory both hailing from the USA, and of course The Death Beats from here in the UK, and today the Drumwave mix gets it’s international airing.

I guess the best way to start is in alphabetical order, so Cassetter! Welcome in! 

You make some of the most blissful synthwave! Is there a big Synthwave scene in Poland, or your part of Europe in general?

Thank you! Not really, I have some fans in my home country, but there is no big scene in Poland. My listeners are spread all over the world.

Tell us a bit about your synth journey. Where did it all begin?

I was a fan of French producer and DJ Vitalic for years and one evening I was looking for something similar. I came across Kavinsky (which is not similar but that’s the way it happened haha). I started to explore and was immediately impressed by the melodiousness and the energy in the music.

I’m interested to know about your studio set up. Do you rely on retro equipment to create your music, or are you more digital?

I am more of a digital guy. I tried some analog but it didn’t fit my producing habits. It is easier for me to layer and optimize and adjust the sound on the final stages while using virtual synths.

The sounds in this genre of music are just so rich and textured. Do you spend lot of time creating your own synth sounds, or is it a case of sticking to a set of similar sounds in order to keep the overall vibe authentic?

Most of the time I design my own sounds. Of course I have some favorites which I like to use more than once. It was important for me from the beginning to make my sounds as unique and different from the other ones as possible.

What other styles of digital music do you listen to, and had you thought about blending synthwave with any other genres before this colab with The Death Beats?

I listen to a lot of electronic music – techno, house. I also love hip hop – especially my favorite Dogg Pound duo. I’ve already done it! I did two rap songs and also tried techno, Detroit electro and other stuff.

Why do you think synthwave has become so popular recently? There seems to be a huge resurgence in 80s and 90s fashion and technology lately, right?

Interesting, to be honest I thought that its popularity dropped a bit recently. Anyway, most of the music come from the 80s and 80/90 were so colorful and stylish.

The whole synthwave vibe of broken dystopias and analogue nightmares is very similar to the Neurofunk scene that is flourishing within drum and bass right now. While Neuro has a harder edge and a much more aggressive overtone, the underlying ethos seems to strike quite a lot of similarities with synthwave. 

It might be its younger, angrier cousin for example. Would you consider branching out into a scene like neuro? I’m pretty sure there’s room for synthwave/neuro hybrid?

Not sure to be honest. I’m familiar with it, but only heard few tunes maybe.

I’m trying to imagine going to a synthwave event. It must be pretty different from the drum and bass events that our readers will attend, especially as quite often the tempo is so low. What does a synthwave event look like?

It looks like every other event I think. The public is usually the mixture of people who come from electronic music with the rock/metalheads. As for the tempo, I usually select 120-130 bpm for a gig so it’s not so low actually.

I’m a huge italo disco fan, and there also seems to be a massive correlation between the synthwave you make and that genre, in fact in some cases I’d say they are almost the same thing. Italo disco is still going strong?

I’m not sure if there is any modern Italian disco scene tbh 🙂 yes, there are some inspirations. It’s a very danceable and melodic genre, but underrated because of its cheesy lyrics.

Hmm. Maybe this is just wishful thinking on my part! I do love a bit of Italo!

Before we move on to speak to Charley Young, tell us a bit about the colab with The Death Beats and how you found working at a tempo of 174?

I listened to some DNB in the past and also attended some gigs, so it felt kinda familiar somehow. I knew and enjoyed Death Beats music. It was bit difficult at first to adjust but I just kept going, adding new melodies and other elements.

Nice one! I for one am now firmly a follower of your music and I’m really looking forward to see if you get involved with any more drum and bass projects.

Thank you so much! We’ll see 🙂 I hope you’ll explore more or the synthwave scene in the future!

If I can learn enough about it, I definitely will!!

Charley! How are you doing?

Hey Daniel! Doing well and hope you are too!

Looking at the info on your website, you’re a pretty busy lady! You’re a  singer, songwriter, actress, writer AND producer! Tell us a bit about what you’ve been up to recently?

Yes! I’ve always been someone who has been interested in multiple subjects and is constantly working on different projects in diverse arenas. I actually graduated with two majors and a minor at Vassar College and have two Master’s degrees in different subjects from Dartmouth College and the Actors Studio Drama School! 

I recently released my first solo track of 2024, “Alpha Female,” at the end of June. I also released a collaboration, “Ghost of the Night” with another US-based artist, I Saw It On T.V. two weeks ago. It features some of my most favorite lyrics I’ve ever written. I am working on two other collaborations right now, and I’m also writing some new solo music.

How on earth have you managed to branch out into so many different aspects of the arts? I mean, it’s a heck of a list!

I’ve been interested in singing and acting since I was about five years old. I was always around music growing up, especially with my Mom being an aerobics instructor for the early part of my childhood (it’s probably why I gravitate towards electronic and dance genres primarily). My family and I also went to the movies a lot growing up, so I’ve always loved the cinema.

I always had a natural proclivity towards writing – I wrote poems and song lyrics even as a kid. I was recognized as an excellent writer throughout my scholastic career and have used it as a way to process the feelings that I experience so intensely. Becoming a producer was out of necessity, especially as an independent artist who wants to create music videos that are cohesive, well-executed, and are works that I am proud to put my name behind. 

Some of your music is not a million miles away from the Italo disco sound (of which I am a HUGE fan) and is electronic at its foundations. Do you write your own music as well as sing, and if so, tell us a bit about your studio set up?

Even when I was little and writing my first songs, I’ve been a topline writer (for those who may not be familiar with the term, when I say “topline” I refer to the vocal melody and lyrics, not the instrumentation). I’ve always done that writing by ear and without the aid of an instrument. I usually approach a producer to help with building the song out in terms of instrumentation. Lately, I’ve been doing most of my work with producer Justin Michael Tallman aka People of the Parallel. 

I usually go to a local recording studio and use a professional audio engineer to record my vocals to make sure they are of the best quality (I live by the motto that everything lives in perpetuity – Better to invest now to make sure it sounds great rather than save a few bucks and release something that is subpar).That said, I do have keyboards, access to a Steinway piano (I taught myself to play piano during the pandemic, but I’m still learning!), Sennheiser mics, and a Focusrite Scarlett.

Drum and bass as a genre seems to be growing in popularity in America. I’ve been in touch with people on the underground scene in America for some time now, predominantly through Twitch, but what are your personal thoughts on the style? Do you get to hear it much on a day to day basis?

I think it’s a very cool style. To be honest, I hadn’t really consciously experienced it much before my work with The Death Beats. I am always on the lookout, however, for new sounds, styles, and innovations in the electronic/dance genre, so it’s exciting to be involved in something that is different from what I hear on a day to day basis. I want to be involved in music that honors the past while still making its own unique impact on the history of genre and style.

You cite Depeche Mode as one of your biggest influences. They were a groundbreaking band in their heyday and are still hugely loved across the world. What other bands or styles would you say influenced you growing up?

Yes, I actually saw them last October with my Mom on their Momento Mori tour. I met David (as he introduced himself to me) in NYC about six years ago, and he was so cool as I was a total fangirl in the middle of Whole Foods lol! I would say Madonna’s attitude and music has also had a profound impact on me. She isn’t afraid to change and evolve, and furthermore, she is a strong female who isn’t afraid to take up space. 

I think that is so cool, and I strive to be a woman who isn’t afraid to live my truth and go against the constraints of society. On top of that, add Kate Bush, Annie Lennox, New Order, Kylie Minogue, Ace of Base. For the most part, my favorite music and musicians have come out of Europe.

And what about now? Who would you say are really pushing boundaries or moving in a direction that is in line with the music you make, or even wish to make in the future?

The independent artists I’m loving lately include People of the Parallel, Diamond Lounge, DutreKK. I work with People of the Parallel and Diamond Lounge a lot because they aren’t afraid to make music that reveres the past while pushing boundaries with new sounds. In terms of more mainstream artists, I am loving the French electronic group Yelle lately. I’ve been listening to a lot of their music from ten and fifteen years ago that still sounds fresh today.

Tell us a bit about how you hooked up with The Death Beats? This colab is quite a departure from your normal output?

I believe Justin connected us three years ago when I was looking for artists to remix some of my songs for an upcoming EP. He remixed my song “Scumbag.” Since then we have collaborated on a track called “Beyond Repair” (with synthwave and DNB mixes) and recently co-wrote a DNB song for a music library. So, “Energy” is definitely not our first or last collaboration. As I mentioned previously, I love experimenting with different genres and sounds, so it’s always fun to work with The Death Beats!

And the other artists on this colab? Had you worked with any of them before?

I had not worked with Cassetter or Color Theory before, but I am so glad to be on a track that features their brilliant musical talents. I feel like they really helped bring the song to another level with their contributions.

Energy is an apt name for the new track. It’s packed full of it! Have you got any plans to venture into DNB in the future? The energy behind the music has always been it’s main draw for me, and I’m pretty sure you’d kick ass in the genre!

Thanks so much! I’ve always had a hard time distilling my music into a single genre. That’s probably the biggest challenge when I go to schedule a release – What genre is the song? Broadly, I am a dance and electronic artist, so I usually just go with those genres. All that to say, I make music without genre in mind, so I am definitely open to making more DNB tracks, but I’d have to say I want The Death Beats to lead the way since he is the DNB expert in my circle!

Finally, what would you like to say to what might potentially be a whole new audience?

Hello and thanks for listening to my collaboration with some fantastic artists from around the world! I’d love for you to check out my other music, music videos, and connect with me on social media. My handle is @mscharleyyoung across all platforms. I look forward to connecting!

Color Theory! Welcome in!

Thank you for having me!

This is a big departure for the site, as we are more used to talking to underground drum and bass artists, the hardcore if you will, so having the chance to branch out a little feels good! You’re very well known in your respective genre of synthwave, but I have to confess, I am no expert on the style, so if you can, sum up what the genre means to you in a sentence or two?

To me, the genre is an exaggerated caricature of the 1980s. Like if you took an old school TV and played around with the tint and hue knobs, and now the image is oversaturated.

Yeah. I see your point exactly! You’ve been making synthwave for three decades now. What would you say has been the biggest change for you in that time, either in terms of technology, or the way the style has progressed, or both!?

Technically synthwave has only been around since 2010 or so, depending on who you ask. At the time I was focused on EDM, mainly Deadmau5 and progressive house, and didn’t even see it happening! My first true synthwave album is 2018’s The Majesty of Our Broken Past.

The tech hasn’t changed, for me at least, and I’m not sure the style has either. In a way, synthwave painted itself into a corner. You can only produce so many tracks about late night summer drives with a Korg Polysix bassline and a sax solo until you become a parody of yourself.

I curate a synthwave playlist and I accept a wide range of genres. As long as the track has a strong electronic foundation and obvious 80s elements, I don’t care what you call it. Synthwave, synthpop, darkwave, gothic, post-punk, it’s all good!

My mum always had a stack of Tubeway Army and Tangerine Dream LP’s that I used to play as a kid, and as a complete novice I’d say that might be an obvious starting point in terms of a the synthwave style, but for our DNB heads reading who don’t know a lot about it (myself included) who and what else would say have been key catalysts in the early days of the genre?

Unfortunately I wasn’t actually paying attention at the time! For me, the center of the synthwave bullseye has always been The Midnight. I remember when they were just getting started and I’d retweet their song announcements. I loved their stuff right from the start, and while it definitely had its own sound, I didn’t know what to call it.

But I believe the correct answer is Kavinsky, even though I never really got into his stuff.

Synthwave has survived, presumably on the underground (much like DNB) with what seems like next to no financial influence from major labels, and from the outside looking in, it seems as strong as ever. Why do you think the scene has stayed so strong for so long? I mean, you’re thirteen albums deep?

To be fair, only two or three of them are synthwave. The one I’m working on now is most definitely not. People were saying synthwave is dead years ago, and while it seems as popular/niche as ever to me, I’m personally bored of the clichés. We’re talking palm trees, neon, Blade Runner, that sort of thing.

I can’t really say that the scene has evolved. Once an artist strays too far, they become “not synthwave” and dismissed. I don’t see many interesting artists classifying themselves as synthwave these days.

That’s a big shame. I think the sound itself has so much to offer, but of course I say that a a novice.

And what about new people coming into the scene? DNB has come full circle now with sons and daughters of original 90s junglists starting to create and play both the old and new music side by side. Would you say this has happened in the synthwave scene too?

As a curator, I receive quality synthwave tracks from new artists all the time. A lot of it sounds like that first The Midnight album though. Maybe I’m too close to tell, but I can’t point to one sound as “early synthwave” and another as “modern synthwave,” setting aside that the latter is an oxymoron.

Forgive me for asking this, but do you think that TV shows like Stranger Things and the current trend for all things retro and 80s has brought more people to the music?

You are forgiven. Yes, absolutely! Along with major label artists like Conan Gray embracing the sound.

So, clearly we’re a drum and bass website and that’s my main focus. So I want to ask the question, as I have to the other two, what do YOU think of DNB? I’m super interested to know what people from other circles think of the music I/we call home!

Honestly, with all my talk of how rigid synthwave is, DNB seems far more strict. For starters, I can make a synthwave track at pretty much any BPM.

I recently listened to a production-focused interview with Sub Focus, and then his latest full album. I enjoyed it but it all seems very formulaic to me. Sorry!

You are forgiven!

I think if I were more versed in the history of the genre, I could better appreciate when things deviate from the norm and push the envelope.

If you check out our DNB Timeline you’ll be able to see that we’ve started to document the rise of the genre from it’s very early beginings to give people coming in from outside a chance to look at the development of the movement. That might help!

And the colab. It’s four and three quarter minutes of pure vibes. The Death Beats are really onto something with this DNB cross breed. I can feel this blowing up into something huge. Is drum and bass a style that you were ever tempted into making previously, or might be again?

With Gary, yes. That way I can just focus on the topline and vocals!

Before we depart then, tell our readers a bit about where you’re heading next in terms of musical output?

I’m about to release the 5th single from my upcoming 14th album, which I’m producing entirely on the Elektron Syntakt. Such a fun little box! It’s a concept album intended as a sort of instruction manual for the mind. As pretentious as that sounds, it’ll make sense if you listen to the first few singles.

And finally, Gary! This is quite an achievement pulling this together, and the end result is fab! Have you got any last words on this epic project?

Hey Dan, I want to start by saying thanks once again for taking the time to support one of my releases. As you know, I’ve never been very good at conforming musically which is how I came to create the new Drumwave subgenre. When you are doing something that strays outside of the usual conventions it can be tricky to find people that are willing to support your concepts.

In terms of this release, I had been a fan of Cassetter for some time and considered him to be one of the dons in the Synthwave scene. We had exchanged a few comments on Instagram over the years and often spoke about collaborating on a hybrid track. Earlier in the year I was listening to one of Charley’s Pop songs in which I spotted a vocal that I felt would make a great hook for a new DNB tune. 

It was at that point I decided to ask Cassetter to come on board. As the track developed we realized we had space for an additional vocal and I thought it would be interesting to have Brian come on board to diversify the track even further. I’m pretty happy with the end result. It’s been a while since I’ve written a straight up banger as I tend to focus on the melodic side of DnB as you know. 

We’ve also produced a Drumwave Mix which is dropping in early August. Keeping with Drumwave tradition it sports a driving half speed 4/4 beat at 175 bpm and takes the track even further into Synthwave in terms of the instrumentation.

I’m very pleased to be able to say that I’ve started to receive some great feedback from established Drum & Bass DJs in regards to the Drumwave versions of my DNB tunes. I’m going to keep pushing that sound and I’m hoping that some other producers will eventually jump on board.

Until next time bro!

FIND OUT MORE HERE:

Cassetter (@cassetter.official) • Instagram photos and videos

Charley Young (@mscharleyyoung) • Instagram photos and videos

Color Theory (@colortheory) • Instagram photos and videos

TheDeathBeats (@thedeathbeats) • Instagram photos and videos